Cleaning article

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a cleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder. The cleaning article includes: a base sheet; a brush portion provided on one side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the other side of the base sheet. The base sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet are fusion-bonded together to have at least two fusion-bonded portions which are spaced apart from each other and define a holding space between the base sheet and the holding sheet for accommodating the holder. One of the base sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet is provided with a color different from those of the others so that the fusion-bonded portions have a color different from that of the holding sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning article which is tobe used while being attached to a holder.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] For the conventional disposable cleaning articles for wiping afloor or the like, a sheet such as a spunlaced nonwoven fabric or aspunlaced nonwoven fabric coated with a dirt attracting agent (e.g.,paraffin) has been widely used. Upon use, Such type of cleaning articleis attached to a dedicated mop holder, typically, by wrapping thecleaning article around the head of the holder.

[0005] However, the conventional cleaning article of this type has notso high performance in attracting fine dirt and dust. In addition, sinceit is intended to be used for wiping a relatively wide, flat area, suchas floor, the structure thereof is not adapted to efficiently wipe asurface of furniture, a gap between furniture, or the like. Furthermore,it is troublesome to wrapping such cleaning article around the head ofthe dedicated mop holder for fixation. Still furthermore, since suchcleaning article is formed from white fibers, its overall color is whiteto be monotony.

[0006] If a holding space for accommodating a holder to be held in onehand is provided in such cleaning article, on the other hand, thecleaning article becomes suitable for wiping the surface of furniture orthe like. However, if the cleaning article is formed from whitematerials only, it is difficult to visually perceive the open end(inlet) of the holding space from which the holder is to be inserted.Conventionally, there is no cleaning article provided with a measure forfacilitating attachment to the holder. For example, Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication No. 146306/1998 discloses a cleaning article which isformed from such nonwoven fabric and is allowed to fit on the holder tobe held in one hand. However, this cleaning article is constructed suchthat the holder may be inserted into the holding space from the edge ofthe cleaning article. In addition, the open end of the holding space isdifficult to notice. Therefore, inconvenience is encountered inattaching the cleaning article to the holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been worked out in view of theshortcoming set forth above. Therefore, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a cleaning article in which a holding space foraccommodating a holder can be easily recognized.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided acleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder, thecleaning article comprising: a base sheet; a brush portion provided onone side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the otherside of the base sheet, the base sheet and the holding sheet beingfusion-bonded together to have at least two fusion-bonded portions whichare spaced apart from each other and define a holding space between thebase sheet and the holding sheet for accommodating the holder,

[0009] wherein the base sheet and the holding sheet are provided withmutually different colors so that the fusion-bonded portions have acolor different from that of the holding sheet.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provideda cleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder, thecleaning article comprising: a base sheet; a brush portion provided onone side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the otherside of the base sheet, the base sheet, the brush portion and theholding sheet being fusion-bonded together to have at least twofusion-bonded portions which are spaced apart from each other and definea holding space between the base sheet and the holding sheet foraccommodating the holder,

[0011] wherein one of the base sheet, the brush portion and the holdingsheet is provided with a color different from those of the others sothat the fusion-bonded portions have a color different from that of theholding sheet.

[0012] For example, the brush portion may comprise a fiber bundle layerincluding colored fibers, or may comprise a plurality of fiber bundlelayers, of which at least one layer adjacent to the base sheet includescolored fibers. In these cases, the colored fibers are preferablybicomponent fibers of which at least one component is colored, and morepreferably, the bicomponent fibers are of sheath/core structure of whichat least one of the core and sheath is colored.

[0013] It is also possible that the brush portion comprises a fiberbundle layer including colored fibers and a slit sheet having aplurality of strips formed therein, or that the brush portion comprisesa fiber bundle layer and a slit sheet having a plurality of stripsformed therein, and the slit sheet is formed from a nonwoven fabricincluding colored fibers.

[0014] In the above, the base sheet may be formed from a nonwoven fabricincluding white fibers or colored fibers. On the other hand, the holdingsheet may be formed from a nonwoven fabric including white fibers.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a cleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder,the cleaning article comprising: a base sheet; a brush portion providedon one side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the otherside of the base sheet, the base sheet and the holding sheet beingjoined together to have at least two join portions which are spacedapart from each other and define a holding space between the base sheetand the holding sheet for accommodating the holder,

[0016] wherein the base sheet and the holding sheet are provided withmutually different colors.

[0017] For example, the base sheet and the holding sheet are nonwovenfabrics, and at least one of the base sheet and the holding sheetcomprises colored fibers.

[0018] Alternatively, at least a portion of the brush portion adjacentto the base sheet may comprise a colored material, and the base sheetmay comprise a material through which the color of the colored materialfor the brush portion is visible so that the base sheet and the holdingsheet are provided with mutually different colors.

[0019] In the third aspect of the invention, too, the join portions maybe formed by fusion-bonding the base sheet and the holding sheet to eachother to have a different color from that of the holding sheet.

[0020] In the first, second and third aspects of the present invention,it is preferred that an open end of the holding space, which is definedby an end portion of the holding sheet, is located inside of acorresponding end portion of the base sheet. This makes it easy toattach the cleaning article to the holder. It is more preferred that anend portion of the holding sheet defining an open end of the holdingspace is folded back to have a layered structure.

[0021] With the construction of the foregoing first, second and thirdaspects of the present invention, the position from which the holder isto be inserted and/or the direction along which the holder is to beinserted may be easily and visually perceived to facilitate and ensureinsertion of the holder. Furthermore, the cleaning article may have amuch better appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be understood more fully from thedetailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanyingdrawings of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which,however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but arefor explanation and understanding only.

[0023] In the drawings:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing individual layersforming the cleaning article of FIG. 1 in upside down form;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modification of the cleaningarticle of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail interms of the preferred embodiments of a cleaning article according tothe present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order toavoid unnecessary obscurity of the present invention.

[0031] The term “colored” as used herein is meant to indicate that amaterial comprises a pigment or dye to have a color other than white.

[0032] The term “white fiber” as used herein refers to a fiber whichdoes not comprise any pigment or dye for coloring, except for whiteningagent such as titanium oxide.

[0033]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning article 10 according toa first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explodedperspective view of the cleaning article 10 for illustrating individuallayers in upside down form.

[0034] The cleaning article 10, shown in FIG. 1, is formed by stacking aholding sheet 1, a base sheet 2, a first fiber bundle layer 3, a secondfiber bundle layer 4, a slit sheet 5 having a plurality of strips formedtherein, and a third fiber bundle layer 6 in sequential order from theupper side to the lower side of the article 10. The first fiber bundlelayer 3, the second fiber bundle layer 4, the slit sheet 5 and the thirdfiber bundle layer 6 are combined to form a brush portion for capturingdust.

[0035] In the drawings, MD refers to a flow direction of the cleaningarticle 10 on the production line, along which the shorter sides of thecleaning article 10 extend. The holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 andthe slit sheet 5 are formed from a disposable material, such as anonwoven fabric formed from thermoplastic fibers (heat-fusible fibers)only or containing thermoplastic fibers. The thermoplastic fibers may bemonocomponent fibers of PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) or PET(polyethylene terephthalate), or bicomponent fibers of PE and PET or PEand PP (e.g., sheath/core bicomponent fibers of which the core is PET orPP and the sheath is PE). The nonwoven fabric may be a thermal bondednon-woven fabric, spunbonded non-woven fabric, through-air bondednon-woven, spunlaced non-woven fabric or the like. In the alternative,the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the slit sheet 5 may be formedfrom a thermoplastic resin film, such as PE film or PP film. In thefurther alternative, the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the slitsheet 5 may be a laminated sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a resin film.

[0036] The first fiber bundle layer 3, the second fiber bundle layer 4and the third fiber bundle layer 6 are individually formed from a bundleof thermoplastic fibers or a bundle of fibers in which thermoplasticfibers are blended with other fibers. In this embodiment, each fiberbundle layer is formed by opening (debundlizing) a tow of filaments tohave uniform bulkiness in CD, and cutting the opened tow so thatindividual cut filaments extend over the entire width of the fiberbundle layer. The filaments may be made of PE, PP, PET, Ne (nylon),rayon or combination thereof. Amongst, it is preferred to usesheath/core bicomponent fibers of which the core is PP or PET and thesheath is PE.

[0037] In the shown embodiment, the first fiber bundle layer 3, thesecond fiber bundle layer 4 and the third fiber bundle layer 6 areprovided with color or colors different from those of the materials ofthe holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the slit sheet 5. For example,the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the slit sheet 5 are allformed from a nonwoven fabric of white fibers, or a resin filmcontaining whitening agent; the first fiber bundle layer 3, the secondfiber bundle layer 4 and the third fiber bundle layer 6 are all formedfrom a material colored in blue. In case where the fiber bundle layers3, 4 and 6 are formed from sheath/core bicomponent fibers, for example,it is preferred that only one of the core and sheath is colored so thatthe fiber bundle layer may assume watery blue for good appearance.However, it is, of course, possible to color both of the core andsheath. When the fiber bundle layers are formed from colored fibers, thecleaning article 10 can provide voluminous appearance in comparison withthe case where the fiber bundle layers are formed from white fibers. Inaddition, when the fiber bundle layers are entangled together or twistedto be one-sided upon cleaning, such condition can be visually andreadily perceived to easily find timing of disposal.

[0038] A coloring method for the fibers (e.g., sheath/core bicomponentfibers) may be mass-coloring performed by preliminarily blending pigmentor dye to a resin material prior to spinning. Alternatively, a dye orthe like may be applied to the surface of the fiber bundle layer. Here,mass-coloring is preferred for avoiding color migration to cleaningobject. Of course, the color of the fiber bundle layer should not belimited to blue, but may be red or any desirable color. If only onecomponent of bicomponent fibers is colored in red, for example, theresulting fiber bundle layer will assume light shade of pink to havegood appearance.

[0039] Fineness of the filaments for forming the fiber bundle layer ispreferably 1 to 50 dtex, and more preferably 2 to 10 dtex. Here, thefineness may vary between fiber bundle layers.

[0040] The fibers forming the fiber bundle layer are preferably crimped.If crimped, the resulting fiber bundle layer is increased in bulkinessto have a structure easily accommodating dust and dirt in the crimpedportion. Particularly preferably, the fiber bundle layer is formed froma tow of crimped filaments.

[0041] Alternatively, the fiber bundle layer may be formed from flatyarns or split yarns, in place of the foregoing fibers. The flat yarnsare prepared by slitting a film into tapes and stretching the tapes inthe longitudinal direction thereof. The split yarns are prepared bysplitting a thermoplastic film in a direction perpendicular to theorientation direction of the resin so that the film is fibrillated andinterconnected into a net shape. In this case, by adding a pigment ordye to the resin material upon forming the film, the resulting flatyarns or split yarns can be colored. In the alternative, a dye or thelike may be applied to the surface of the film for coloring. Here, thefiber bundle layer may be replaced by a bulky nonwoven fabric having alow fiber density such as through-air bonded nonwoven fabric.

[0042] Next, discussion will be given for the layered structure of thecleaning article 10.

[0043] On the upper face of the base sheet 2, there is stacked theholding sheet 1. A dimension of the holding sheet 1 in a directionperpendicular to MD (CD: longitudinal direction of the cleaning article10) is shorter than that of the base sheet 2. On the other hand, thewidth dimensions of both the holding sheet 1 and the base sheet 2 in MDmatch with each other. Here, the front and rear end portions of theholding sheet 1 are individually folded back against the lower face ofthe holding sheet 1, thereby forming folded portions (layered portions)1 b and 1 b. Similarly, the front and rear end portions of base sheet 2are individually folded back, thereby forming folded portions (layeredportions) 2 c and 2 c.

[0044] On the lower face of the base sheet 2, the first fiber bundlelayer 3 having uniform bulkiness in CD is stacked with its constituentfibers being oriented along MD. The holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2and the first fiber bundle layer 3 are joined together at two paralleljoin lines 8, 8 and (if desired) at a plurality of side join lines 9extending obliquely outside of the join lines 8, 8. The joining isperformed by heat-sealing, ultrasonic sealing or the like, so that theholding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the first fiber bundle layer 3 arefusion-bonded together at the join lines 8 and 9. It should be notedthat the side join lines 9 are not essential and can be eliminated.

[0045] After the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 and the first fiberbundle layer 3 are thus stacked and joined together, moreover, there areformed zigzag (saw tooth like) cut-lines 11, to thereby form a pluralityof thin strips 12 respectively separated by the cut-lines 11 in theholding sheet 1 and the base sheet 2. These thin strips 12 are formed inside regions 2 b, 2 b, each of which is located between one join line 8and adjacent one of side edges of the laminate. On the other hand, thenumeral 2 a indicates a holding region (center region) which is locatedbetween the two join lines 8, 8. In the holding region 2 a, the basesheet 2 and the holding sheet 1 are stacked without the strips 12.

[0046] On the lower face of the first fiber bundle layer 3, moreover,the second fiber bundle layer 4, the slit sheet 5 and the third fiberbundle layer 6 are stacked in sequential order. Both the second fiberbundle layer 4 and the third fiber bundle layer 6 have uniform bulkinessin CD with their constituent fibers being oriented along MD. On theother hand, the slit sheet 5 is formed with zigzag (saw tooth like)cut-lines 13 to have a plurality of thin strips 14 respectivelyseparated by the cut-lines 13. Each thin strip 14 extends along MD.

[0047] After all the layers (the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2, thefirst fiber bundle layer 3, the second fiber bundle layer 4, the slitsheet 5 and the third fiber bundle layer 6) are thus stacked, they arejoined together at an all-layer join line 7 which extends along alongitudinally extending centerline of the article 10. This all-layerjoin line 7 is located at the midpoint between the two join lines 8, 8and extends in parallel to the join lines 8, 8. The all-layer join line7 is formed by fusion-bonding (e.g., heat-sealing or ultrasonicsealing).

[0048] Here, it should be noted that the layered structure of thisembodiment can be modified variously. For example, the slit sheet 5 mayappear on the lower face of the article 10 in place of the third fiberbundle layer 6, by omitting the third fiber bundle layer 6 or bystacking the slit sheet 5 below the third fiber bundle layer 6. It isalso possible to form the zigzag cut-lines 11 after the holding sheet 1and base sheet 2 are stacked but before the first fiber bundle layer 3is stacked and the join lines 8, 8 are formed. In this case, moreover,the second fiber bundle layer 4 may also be joined at the join lines 8,8 so that the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2, the first fiber bundlelayer 3 and the second fiber bundle layer 4 are joined together at thejoin lines 8, 8.

[0049] The cleaning article 10 thus constructed can effectively capturedust by the brush portion comprising the fiber bundle layers and theslit sheet. Particularly, the strips of the slit sheet are effective inwiping off relatively large dust such as crumb; and the fiber bundlelayers are effective in capturing dust.

[0050] On the other hand, the holding sheet 1 and the base sheet 2appearing on the upper face (see FIG. 1) of the cleaning article 10 thusconstructed are joined to each other at three fusion-bonded portions(i.e., the join lines 8, 8 and the all-layer join line 7), providing twoholding spaces 20, 20 for accommodating a holder 21 which will bediscussed later. Specifically, each holding space 20 between the holdingsheet 1 and the base sheet 2 is defined between the all-layer join line7 and one of the join lines 8.

[0051] Here, as set forth above, the holding sheet 1 and the base sheet2 are formed in white and the fiber bundle layers 3, 4 and 6 areindividually formed from colored fibers. In addition, the join lines 8,8 are formed by fusion-bonding the holding sheet 1, the base sheet 2 andthe first fiber bundle layer 3 together to be filmy. Therefore, the joinlines 8, 8 assume the same color as that of the first fiber bundle layer3 (e.g., blue) so that the join lines 8, 8 may have different color fromthat of the material for the holding sheet 1 to be clearly and visuallydistinguished. Similarly, because the all-layer join line 7 is formed byfusion-bonding all the layers (including the colored three fiber bundlelayers 3, 4 and 6) together to be filmy, the all-layer join line 7assumes the color (e.g., blue) different from that of the material forthe holding sheet 1.

[0052] Accordingly, as viewed from the above as illustrated in FIG. 1,the all-layer join line 7 and the join lines 8, 8 stand out clearly. Asa result, the holding spaces 20, 20 each defined between adjacentfusion-bonded portions can be clearly and visually distinguished.

[0053] Here, it is preferred that the color of the first fiber bundlelayer 3 can also be seen through the remaining portion (the portionother than the join lines 7 and 8) of the overlying base sheet 2. Thiscan be achieved by preparing the base sheet 2 from a nonwoven fabric orfilm to be white and to have such a basis weight as to permit somedegree of light transmission. In this case, since the holding sheet 1 isstacked on the base sheet 2, even if the holding sheet 1 overlying thebase sheet 2 also has some degree of light transmission, the color ofthe first fiber bundle layer 3 seen through the remaining portion (theportion other than the join lines 7 and 8) of the holding sheet 1becomes paler than the color seen through the base sheet 2 only.Accordingly, as viewed from the above as illustrated in FIG. 1, the basesheet 2 and the holding sheet 1 are different in color tone from eachother to thereby make the front and rear edges of the holding sheet 1noticeable. Moreover, since these front and rear edges are formed byfolding back the holding sheet 1 to have the folded portions (layeredportions) 1 b and 1 b, as set forth, the color of the first fiber bundlelayer 3 seen through the folded portions 1 b and 1 b becomes much paler.Since these folded portions 1 b and 1 b are located at the open ends ofthe holding spaces 20 and 20, the open ends of the holding spaces 20 and20 can be visually and clearly distinguished.

[0054] In order that the color of the underlying fiber bundle layer canbe seen through the remaining portion of the base sheet 2, it ispreferred that the base sheet 2 has a light transmittance greater thanor equal to 80% (as measured based on JIS-K-7105). It is furtherpreferred that a difference between the light transmittance of the basesheet 2 alone and the light transmittance of the stack of the holdingsheet 1 and the base sheet 2 is greater than or equal to 10%.

[0055] In this embodiment, as has been described hereinabove, all thefiber bundle layers 3, 4 and 6 are colored. However, the fusion-bondedportions (i.e., the join lines 8, 8 and the all-layer join lines 7) canassume the color as long as at least one of the first fiber bundle layer3, the second fiber bundle layer 4, the slit sheet 5 and the third fiberbundle layer 6 is colored. For example, it is also possible that theslit sheet 5 is formed from a colored material and all the fiber bundlelayers 3, 4 and 6 are formed from white fibers. However, it is preferredthat at least the first fiber bundle layer 3 located adjacent the basesheet 2 is colored in order to make the color of the lower layer visiblethrough the remaining portion of the base sheet 2. In the alternative,the base sheet 2 may be colored.

[0056] For making the base sheet 2 and/or the slit sheet 5 as coloredsheets, these sheets may be formed from a nonwoven fabric comprisingcolored fibers or a resin film containing a pigment or dye. On the otherhand, the holding sheet 1 is preferably white. However, the holdingsheet 1 may be colored in the extent that can be distinguished from thecolor of the join lines 8 and the all-layer join line 7.

[0057] It should be noted that the nonwoven fabric for the base sheet 2and/or the slit sheet 5 is not necessarily formed from the coloredfibers entirely (100%), but the colored fibers may be partly admixed toform a colored nonwoven fabric as a whole. Similar is true even when theholding sheet 1 is formed from a nonwoven fabric comprising coloredfibers.

[0058] In order to make the color of the lower layer visible through thecolored base sheet 2, at least the first fiber bundle layer 3 locatedadjacent the base sheet 2 should be colored.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper side of the cleaning article 10 canbe attached to the holder 21. The holder 21 has bifurcated insertingportions 22, 22 and a hand grip portion 23. The inserting portions 22,22 are arranged in spaced apart relationship. Each inserting portion 22is provided at its one side face with two engaging projections 24.Moreover, an engaging strip 25 extending toward the tip end of theholder 21 is integrally formed in a base end portion from which theinserting portions 22, 22 extend.

[0060] In the cleaning article 10, the all-layer join line 7 and thejoin lines 8, 8 are clearly colored, and, in addition, the holding sheet1 and the base sheet 2 appear to be different in color tone. Therefore,the position from which the holder 21 is to be inserted and thedirection along which the holder 21 is to be inserted can be easilyperceived. Moreover, since the folded portions (layered portions) 1 band 1 b located at the open ends of the holding spaces 20 and 20 can bevisually perceived as being different from the remaining portion, itbecomes easy to find the open ends of the holding spaces 20 and 20 foraccommodating the holder 21. This results in easy insertion of thebifurcated inserting portions 22 and 22 into the holding spaces 20 and20. Still moreover, the open ends are located inside of the end edges ofthe base sheet 2, so that the inserting portions 22 and 22 can be easilyslid into the holding spaces 20 and 20 through the open ends.

[0061] When the inserting portions 22 and 22 are inserted into theholding spaces 20 and 20, the engaging strip 25 is placed on theall-layer join line 7 to clamp the holding sheet 1 between the insertingportions 22, 22 and the engaging strip 25 for preventing the cleaningarticle 10 from slipping off the holder 21.

[0062] Moreover, since the cleaning article 10 is formed in symmetricshape relative to the centerline extending in MD, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the inserting portions 22, 22 of the holder 21 can be insertedinto the holding spaces 20, 20 from either end thereof. Therefore, afterthe holder 21 is attached to the cleaning article 10 from the directionof FIG. 1 and then locally soiled by cleaning operation, it is possibleto attach the holder 21 to the cleaning article 10 from the oppositedirection. By changing the orientation of the cleaning article 10 asdescribed above, the brush portion of the cleaning article 10 can befully and uniformly exploited for cleaning operation.

[0063] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning article may further beprovided with additional short join lines 26, 26 where the holding sheet1 and the base sheet 2 are joined. These join lines 26, 26 are locatedwithin the holding region 2 a defined between the join lines 8, 8. Eachjoin line 26 is formed to have a length substantially equal to theinterval between the engaging projections 24, 24 of each insertingportion 22. When the inserting portions 22, 22 are inserted into theholding spaces 20, 20, therefore, the cleaning article 10 is preventedfrom slipping off the holder 21 by placing each join line 26 between theengaging projections 24, 24 of each inserting portion 22.

[0064]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article 30according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The cleaning article 30 has a layered structure of sheets andfiber bundle layers similar to that of the cleaning article 10. Thedifference from the first embodiment is that a holding sheet 31 and abase sheet 32 have different colors from each other.

[0066] In the cleaning article 30 shown in FIG. 3, the holding sheet 31is colored in blue or other color, and all of other layers including thebase sheet 32 are formed from white materials. The cleaning article 30is constructed such that all the layers are joined together at anall-layer join line 33, and the holding sheet 31, the base sheet 32 andthe first fiber bundle layer are joined together at two join lines 34,34, as in the cleaning article 10. The all-layer join line 33 and thejoin lines 34, 34 may be formed by fusion-bonding such as heat-sealing,ultrasonic sealing or the like. Alternatively, they may be formed byapplying an adhesive or by sewing.

[0067] In the cleaning article 30, two holding spaces 35 are defined bythe join lines 34, 34 and the all-layer join line 33 between the holdingsheet 31 and the base sheet 32. Into these holding spaces 35, 35, theinserting portions 22, 22 of the holder 21 are inserted as shown in FIG.1.

[0068] In the cleaning article 30 thus described, since the holdingsheet 31 and the base sheet 32 are provided with different colors, theopen ends of the holding spaces 35, 35 into which the inserting portions22, 22 of the holder 21 are to be inserted, can be easily and visuallyperceived.

[0069] In the alternative, it is possible to provide the holding sheet31 in white and to form the base sheet 32 from a colored material.Furthermore, it is also possible to color the holding sheet 31 and thebase sheet 32 in different colors.

[0070] On the other hand, it is further possible to form the base sheet32 from a material having some degree of light transmission and to formthe first fiber bundle layer located below the base sheet 32 from acolored material so that the color of the first fiber bundle layer belowthe base sheet 32 can be visible through the base sheet 32 as viewedfrom the above, and to form the holding sheet 31 from a material ofcolor different from the color viewed through the base sheet 32.

[0071] Even in this case, it is preferred that at least one layer (i.e.,one of the fiber bundle layers or the slit sheet) forming the brushportion is formed from a colored material and that the all-layer joinline 33 and the join lines 34, 34 are formed by fusion-bonding. Thisresults in coloring the join lines 33, 34 and 34 so that the position ofthe holding spaces 35, 35 can be easily perceived.

[0072] Moreover, the holding sheet 31 is provided at its front and rearend portions with folded portions (layered portions) 31 a, 31 a, similarto the folded portions (layered portions) 1 b, 1 b of the cleaningarticle 10. When the holding sheet 31 is colored, the folded portions 31a, 31 a may have deeper color than the remaining portion of the holdingsheet 31 to facilitate recognition of the open ends of the holdingspaces 35, 35. On the other hand, even when the holding sheet 31 isformed from a white material and the base sheet 32 is formed from acolored material, the folded portions 31 a, 31 a facilitates recognitionof the open ends of the holding spaces 35, 35. This is because thetransmittance of color through the folded portions 31 a, 31 a becomeslower than that of the remaining portion of the holding sheet 31.

[0073]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article 40according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The cleaning article 40 is formed by stacking a holding sheet 41on the upper face of a base sheet 42, and stacking a brush portion 43 onthe lower face of the base sheet 42. This brush portion 43 is formedfrom a fiber bundle layer only, a nonwoven fabric only or combinationthereof. In this embodiment, at least a part of the brush portion 43 isformed from a material colored in blue or the like, and the holdingsheet 41 and the base sheet 42 are formed from white materials. Then,the holding sheet 41, the base sheet 42 and the brush portion 43 arestacked and joined together at the peripheral portion of the stack byheat-sealing, ultrasonic sealing or the like, thereby forming anall-layer join line 44. Thus, a holding space 45 is defined between theholding sheet 41 and the base sheet and inside of the all-layer joinline 44.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, a holder 47 is attached to the cleaningarticle 40. Specifically, the holder 47 includes a flat insertingportion 48 and a hand grip portion 49 formed integrally with theinserting portion 48, and the inserting portion 48 is inserted into theholding space 45.

[0076] In the cleaning article 40, since the brush portion 43 is formedfrom the material colored in blue or the like, the all-layer join line44, which is a fusion-bonded portion where the individual layers arefusion-bonded together to be filmy, is colored. Therefore, the all-layerjoin line 44 is differentiated in color from the holding sheet 41 andthe base sheet 42 formed from white materials, to thereby facilitaterecognition of the position from which the holder 47 is to be insertedand the direction along which the holder 47 is to be inserted. Since atleast a part of the brush portion 43 is colored, moreover, the brushportion 43 can provide voluminous appearance. Even in this case, theholding sheet 41 is preferably formed with a folded portion (layeredportion) 41 a at the open end of the holding space 45.

[0077] Even in this embodiment, it is possible to form the base sheet 42from a colored material and to form the holding sheet 41 from a whitematerial so that the all-layer join line 44 can be colored.

[0078] On the other hand, it is also possible to form the holding sheet41 and the base sheet 42 from materials colored in different colors tofacilitate recognition of the open end of the holding space 45.

[0079]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cleaning article 50according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The cleaning article 50 shown in FIG. 5 is formed by stacking aholding sheet 51 on the upper face of a base sheet 52, and stacking abrush portion 53 on the lower face of the base sheet 52. The brushportion 53 may be formed mainly from a nonwoven fabric or may be formedonly from a fiber bundle layer formed by opening a tow. The holdingsheet 51, the base sheet 52 and the brush portion 53 thus stacked arefusion-bonded together to form all-layer join lines 54, 54 for defininga holding space 55. In this embodiment, too, the brush portion 53 isformed from a colored material, or the holding sheet 51 and the basesheet 52 are formed from materials colored in different colors.

[0081] The holding space 55 accommodates a holder 56. The holder 56 hasbifurcated, upper and lower inserting portions 57, 57 and a hand gripportion 58. These inserting portions 57, 57 are arranged with a smallgap so that the holding sheet 51 may be clamped between the upper andlower inserting portions 57, 57 by inserting the lower inserting portion57 into the holding space 55.

[0082] Although the present invention has been illustrated and describedwith respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understoodby those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various otherchanges, omission and additions may be made therein and thereto, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore,the present invention should not be understood as limited to thespecific embodiments set out above but to include all possibleembodiments which can be embodied within a scope encompassed andequivalent thereof with respect to the feature set out in the appendedclaims.

[0083] For instance, it is possible to join a plurality of strip formholding sheets on the surface of the base sheet to define the holdingspace for accommodating the holder between respective strip form holdingsheets and the base sheet. Even in this case, recognition of the holdingspace can be facilitated by providing different colors for the holdingsheets and the base sheet.

[0084] On the other hand, it is also possible to join another fiberbundle layer on the surface of the holding sheet in the extent that theholding space can be recognized.

1. A cleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder, thecleaning article comprising: a base sheet; a brush portion provided onone side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the otherside of the base sheet, the base sheet and the holding sheet beingfusion-bonded together to have at least two fusion-bonded portions whichare spaced apart from each other and define a holding space between thebase sheet and the holding sheet for accommodating the holder, whereinthe base sheet and the holding sheet are provided with mutuallydifferent colors so that the fusion-bonded portions have a colordifferent from that of the holding sheet.
 2. A cleaning article to beused while being attached to a holder, the cleaning article comprising:a base sheet; a brush portion provided on one side of the base sheet;and a holding sheet provided on the other side of the base sheet, thebase sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet being fusion-bondedtogether to have at least two fusion-bonded portions which are spacedapart from each other and define a holding space between the base sheetand the holding sheet for accommodating the holder, wherein one of thebase sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet is provided with acolor different from those of the others so that the fusion-bondedportions have a color different from that of the holding sheet.
 3. Acleaning article as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the brush portioncomprises a fiber bundle layer including colored fibers.
 4. A cleaningarticle as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the brush portioncomprises a plurality of fiber bundle layers, of which at least onelayer adjacent to the base sheet includes colored fibers.
 5. A cleaningarticle as set forth in claim 3 or 4, wherein the colored fibers arebicomponent fibers of which at least one component is colored.
 6. Acleaning article as set forth in claim 5, wherein the bicomponent fibersare of sheath/core structure of which at least one of the core andsheath is colored.
 7. A cleaning article as set forth in claim 1 or 2,wherein the brush portion comprises a fiber bundle layer includingcolored fibers and a slit sheet having a plurality of strips formedtherein.
 8. A cleaning article as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein thebrush portion comprises a fiber bundle layer and a slit sheet having aplurality of strips formed therein, and the slit sheet is formed from anonwoven fabric including colored fibers.
 9. A cleaning article as setforth in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base sheet is formed froma nonwoven fabric including white fibers.
 10. A cleaning article as setforth in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base sheet is formed froma nonwoven fabric including colored fibers.
 11. A cleaning article asset forth in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the holding sheet isformed from a nonwoven fabric including white fibers.
 12. A cleaningarticle to be used while being attached to a holder, the cleaningarticle comprising: a base sheet; a brush portion provided on one sideof the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the other side of thebase sheet, the base sheet and the holding sheet being joined togetherto have at least two join portions which are spaced apart from eachother and define a holding space between the base sheet and the holdingsheet for accommodating the holder, wherein the base sheet and theholding sheet are provided with mutually different colors.
 13. Acleaning article as set forth in claim 12, wherein the base sheet andthe holding sheet are nonwoven fabrics, and at least one of the basesheet and the holding sheet comprises colored fibers.
 14. A cleaningarticle as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of thebrush portion adjacent to the base sheet comprises a colored material,and the base sheet comprises a material through which the color of thecolored material for the brush portion is visible so that the base sheetand the holding sheet are provided with mutually different colors.
 15. Acleaning article as set forth in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein thejoin portions are formed by fusion-bonding the base sheet and theholding sheet to each other to have a different color from that of theholding sheet.
 16. A cleaning article as set forth in any one of claims1 to 15, wherein an open end of the holding space, which is defined byan end portion of the holding sheet, is located inside of acorresponding end portion of the base sheet.
 17. A cleaning article asset forth in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an end portion of theholding sheet defining an open end of the holding space is folded backto have a layered structure.